As this year comes to a close, the ar.rocks team looks back at all the groundbreaking augmented reality news we’ve covered. We’ve ranked our top 10 augmented reality experiences of the year, keep reading to see who is number 1!

In this week's weekly round up of Augmented Reality news, we look at PTC’s Vuforia Expert Capture Augmented Reality software which assisted in the manufacturing of 13,000 NHS Ventilators, 8th Wall’s recent update which makes WebAR available across all major iOS apps, as well as Snapchat’s partnership with Google to create an augmented reality version of ‘Year In Search’.

Google has developed a new AR lens within the Snapchat app. The AR experience is an innovative interpretation of Google’s ‘Year In Search’ trends overview. 

8th Wall already provides frictionless WebAR experiences to a massive audience and the company’s most recent update makes it even better. The new iOS 14.3 update features camera access to WKWebView, allowing for WebAR experiences to now work in all major iOS apps, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, LinkedIn and Chrome. The update allows WebAR experiences built on the 8th Wall platform to be easily discovered and reach the 728 million iPhone users around the world.

The Smithsonian has 19 world-class museums, galleries, gardens, and even a zoo. But due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the museums and galleries remain closed. However, the Smithsonian have created a virtual way for visitors to see the Smithsonian, with augmented reality. 

Billions can now escape Zoom fatigue by beaming holographic teammates right into their living room with a single tap

PTC’s Vuforia Expert Capture Augmented Reality software, allows processes to be recorded, edited in the cloud and then viewed in other locations through Microsoft HoloLens’ wearable technology. The software was initially developed for companies to teach processes to new employees, however, a new use was found during the pandemic. PTC worked with VentilatorChallengeUK Consortium to assist in the training of hundreds of frontline workers to manufacture ventilators at different sites across the country.

In this week's weekly round up of Augmented Reality news, we look at The Good Crisp Company’s AR Santa to spread Christmas cheer, HBO’s AR campaign for the second series of ‘His Dark Materials’ as well as NYX Professional Makeup’s AR shopping experience.